The Supreme Court on Friday recorded the statement of the Union Government that certain persons allegedly deported to Bangladesh would be brought back to India for verification of their claims of Indian citizenship, while clarifying that the arrangement was being made in the peculiar facts of the case and should not be treated as a precedent.

The matter concerns individuals whose citizenship status was under dispute and who were allegedly deported despite asserting that they were Indian citizens.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before the Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi that, considering the peculiar circumstances involved, the Union Government had decided to facilitate their return to India for proper verification of their citizenship claims. Recording the statement, the Court observed:

“Keeping in view the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case and by not treating it as a precedent to be followed in other instances, the Union of India has decided to bring the respondents back to India and thereafter verify the claim of Indian citizenship.”

The Court further noted that the consequences regarding their continuation in India would depend upon the outcome of such verification proceedings. At the request of the Solicitor General, the Court specifically clarified that the arrangement should not be treated as a binding precedent for similar future cases.

The Bench also sought a timeline from the Centre regarding the return process, upon which it was informed that the respondents were expected to be brought back within approximately 8–10 days.

The Court thereafter directed that the matter be listed immediately after the reopening of the Court in July for further consideration and possible disposal depending upon the outcome of the verification exercise.